January 1-December 31, 1781 137

but must observe that by the Law there is no Merchant Flour to be
Manufactured unless ordered by the Governor & Council or the
Com^y of the Shore and as these persons who mean to pay their Taxes
in Flour will doubtless have it made of a quality most to their advan-
tage submit it to your Hon^ble Board whether it would not be proper
to direct a certain quantity of the wheat to be Manufactured in a
different manner
I have not been able to procure any information from the County
Commissaries as yet respecting their prospects of collecting Specific
articles although I wrote to them individually on that head. M^r
Griffith of this County is beginning to receive flour tolerable fast
but no Meat and our Market for these several days past have fallen
off amazingly in that article insomuch that I have been oblidged to
break in on the quantity of Beef that was salted fit for the use of the
Marquis Lafayette Detachment in order to supply the Issues at this
Post which is now very considerable. I imagine the change of the
money prevents people coming to Market at this time

March 21

[Th. Jefferson, Richmond, to His Excellency, President
of Congress.]

The inclosed letter will inform you of the arrival of the British
fleet in Chesapeake Bay the extreem negligence of our Stationed
Expresses is no doubt the Cause why has yet no authentic Account
has reached me of a General Action which happened on the 15^th
Instant about a mile and a half from Guilford Court house between
Gen. Green and Lord Cornwallis, Cap^t Singleton an intelligent officer
of Harrison's Artilliery who was in the action is this moment arrived
here and gives the general information that both parties were pre-
pared and desirous for action. The Enemy supposed about 2500
Strong, our Army about 4000. That after a very warm and general
Engagement of about an hour and a half we retreated about a mile
and a half from the Field in good order having as he supposes be-
tween two and three hundred killed and wounded — the Enemy be-
tween 5 and 700 killed and wounded — that we lost 4 peices of Artil-
lery. That the militia as well as regulars behaved Exceedingly well.
That Gen. Green he believes would have renewed the Action the next
day, had it not proved rainy, and would renew it as soon as possible
as he supposes — That the whole of his Troops both Regular and Mili-
tia were in High spirits and waiting a second Engagement. That the
loss has fallen pretty Equally on the Militia and regulars. That Gen.
Stevens received a Ball through the thigh, Major Anderson of
Maryland killed and Cap^t Barrett of Washingtons Cavalry. Capt.
Fountleroy of the same Cavalry shot through the thigh, and left in
the field Capt Singleton having left Camp the day after the Battle
does not speak from particular returns none such having been then
made.

March 21
Red Book

No. 5
Letter 54
[copy]